While RWJF awards most of its grants through calls for proposals (CFPs), we also award grants in response to unsolicited proposals in our Building Human Capital, Pioneer and Vulnerable Populations program areas. RWJF accepts unsolicited proposals at any time in these three program areas and issues awards throughout the year. There are no deadlines.

Criteria for Unsolicited Proposals

Through unsolicited proposals, RWJF seeks to learn from grantees' ideas and cultivate new ideas. The most promising unsolicited proposals will:

• address the strategic objectives of the Building Human Capital, Pioneer or Vulnerable Populations program area
• be new and/or innovative
• be best suited for funding through RWJF—rather than through local, public or private sources of funding
• be sustainable without relying on ongoing RWJF funding
• show potential for measurable impact and meaningful change.

Submitting an Unsolicited Proposal

We require that all applicants initiate the process of applying for an unsolicited grant by submitting a three-page online brief proposal using the application form provided in Unsolicited Proposals: How to Apply.

Talking with RWJF Staff

You do not need to talk with RWJF staff before submitting an unsolicited proposal in order for it to be reviewed or supported. If you have, though, please tell us in your proposal.

Review Process

RWJF reviews and responds to all unsolicited proposals within six weeks of receipt. Within six weeks of submitting your proposal you will receive one of the following:

• a request to submit a full proposal
• a request for more information
• a letter informing you that your project will not be supported at this time.

Funding Alert Notifications

To receive e-mail notification when RWJF releases new calls for proposals, sign up for RWJF Funding Alert E-mails or add an RSS feed of CFPs to your news reader. (Help: what are news feeds?)

Questions

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact our Office of Proposal Management via e-mail or at (877) 843-RWJF (7953), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.